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Lessons from a Skiing
Experience
I've had some practical lessons in Christian growth this past month and I'd like to share
some of them with you!
I recently got cross-country skis and now I'm learning how to use them! In the next few
paragraphs compare my experiences with skis with the walk of a Christian.
About the first thing that happened when I tried them on was --I wanted to take them off!
Isn't that how we feel when we first see how we should be as a Christian? We go,
"That looks too hard!" But knowing the good results that I would have if I
persevered I kept them on and kept trying to walk. We, as followers of Jesus, should never
give up our experience because of how hard the task may appear. We should remember that
Jesus says, "Have faith in God...whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou
removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall
believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he
saith" (Mark 11:23). And in Luke 1:37 it says, "For with God nothing shall be
impossible."
Skiing wasn't easy at first. I had old habits of walking, and not only that! When skiing I
had to walk a whole new way! I couldn't walk the way I wanted to walk because it would
trip me up and I'd fall down. I had to walk carefully and slowly. So it is with a
Christian. We should not walk in our own ways. This is an area we all need to work on. We
need to have no confidence in our own wisdom. Our wisdom is often foolishness.
Well, back to my story. As I practiced skiing, I gained strength, speed, and courage. Just
like a Christian is, I was able to attain new heights. Then came the time when I needed to
return to the valleys. At first I thought that the trials would be too tough, the trail
too steep. I looked down with apprehension. Like Jonah, I was tempted to shirk the
responsibility. But guess what?! I had friends who encouraged
me. My guide told me it wouldn't be that bad! With the help of the Lord I could go through
anything. So I went! I was startled to realize that although the path looked steep, there
was something holding me from falling. I had gained strength and balance in my climb up!
Just as in my skiing experience we as Christians should be gaining strength for our
journey that lies ahead. Yes, there will be trials. Yes, we will be tempted. But with the
help of our Guide, Jesus Christ, we can go through the tests and trials that He appoints.
In the end we will realize that these trials weren't there for no reason. James gives us
this advice, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience" (James 1:2, 3).
Time went by and I learned to ski quite proficiently. However, I've never learned to ski
without the help of my poles. This is also a part of the lesson. When Jesus went back to
heaven He said, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:
18). And again, "I will pray the Father and he shall
give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever" (John 14: 16).
Without the help and guidance of Jesus, through His Holy Spirit, we cannot be a true
Christian. Jesus says, "Without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).
Most of the time I've skied with friends and family. One day though, I had to go skiing
alone. I still had my poles for support, but that's all. God was my only refuge! My
adventure was going along smoothly, so it seemed. Then something happened. Suddenly there
was a large obstacle in my path. A moose! I couldn't go any farther. I was almost home but
I couldn't go anywhere. The moose had blocked me. Isn't that just like our lives!
Sometimes they seem to be going along great and then God says, "Hey! You're trusting
a little too much in your own strength", and He sends a large trial to take away our
self-confidence. Then too, the devil often tries to hinder us in our daily walks with God.
The Lord knows just
how large of a trial or test we can handle.
As I watched the moose, it was a great temptation to turn around and try to go back. Yet
when I thought about how far I had already come I would resist the temptation. So in our
spiritual lives. When we are tempted to give up the battle with sin we should look at how
many wonderful things Jesus has done for us in our lives. To turn back now and fail Him
would be so foolish!
To finish the story I will say this: The Lord provided me with patience. Remember?
"The trying of your faith worketh patience!" I stood and waited for the moose to
move for about a half an hour. Finally I was able to proceed on my way. I am thankful to
the Lord for His protection and care.
I will go on to the next point of interest. Let us compare the groomed ski route to
justification. Without this path being prepared prior to my arrival by someone I could
never ski. Jesus has prepared a way for us to find salvation. He says, "I am the Way,
the Truth and the life". By coming to the ski route, Jesus, I can learn to ski.
Another wonderful thing to know is that Jesus hasn't just groomed the route once and left
us to find our own way. He is continually interceding for us to His Father.
I would also like to compare the warm clothing I must wear to Sanctification. Without this
protective layer, I would not be fit to ski. I would soon become cold, and stiff. Take
note of the fact that the warm clothing doesn't create the ski route for me. Only the
groomer of the route can do that. The clothing only provides me with a fitness for the
trail and what comes along with it. Paul says, "God hath from the beginning chose you
to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" (2 Thess.
2:13). Ellen White adds, "What does the Lord require of His blood-bought heritage?
The sanctification of the whole being.... My brethren and sisters, God requires this of
us."
In conclusion of my little allegory I will say this: I have enjoyed skiing very much! The
trials of learning were well worth it! "For I reckon that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in
us" (Rom. 8:18).-Katie Baer |
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